THE 2019 GRAND NATIONAL RUNNERS & ODDS

Winner of the 2018 Grand National, Tiger Roll gave trainer Gordon Elliott his second win in the Aintree showpiece and jockey Davy Russell his first. No horse has won back-to-back Nationals since the mighty Red Rum in 1974. However, after a stunning display at the Cheltenham Festival, Tiger Roll could do the almost impossible in 2019 and win it again.

With nine wins or places from 12 chase starts Rathvinden is certainly a contender. However, he has only had one race this season, though he did win it. Clearly not worried, trainer Willie Mullins bypassed Cheltenham and may just go straight to Aintree with him.

Came fourth in the 2018 Grand National despite carrying a hefty 11-08. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this classy Tony Martin trained horse in the frame this time around. Especially after he finished second in the Gold Cup!

He ticks a lot of boxes and has won or placed in 11 of his 12 chase starts. He has won two races this season and never pulls-up or unseats. Stamina was questionable but he ran a blinder in the Cheltenham Festival and looks like a worthy each-way consideration for the 2019 Grand National.

Trained by Sue Smith and owned by Trevor Hemmings, Vintage Clouds was entered last in 2018 but didn’t make the cut. He went to the Scottish National instead and finished in third place. He had a really good run in the Ultima Chase in March, finishing second and laying down the gauntlet for the Grand National.

Did not end last season well and when he stepped up in distance, he pulled-up three times in a row. Has had a terrible start to this season but redeemed himself with a win last time out in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown.

A great chaser and one who has brought connections plenty of success. He won the Pertemps Network Hurdle at Aintree in December but pulled up in his race at the Cheltenham Festival.

Rock The Kasbah jumped into the Grand National frame following his win at Cheltenham in November. Could he be the horse that finally gives Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson that much coveted National win?

A solid runner who has yet to capture that elusive first win over the large fences. Nevertheless, he’s won twice over hurdles, including a big one at Cheltenham back in 2016. If Mall Dini can build on his performance in the 2018 Kim Muir (2nd) he could be an interesting outsider.

Was looking good until his last race. Third at Exeter over just 2m7f and he really did not run well. Three out and he faded fast. That said, he did win the Becher Chase at Aintree in December so it could go either way.

He may lack experience but he makes up for it by winning or placing in all four of chase starts including winning the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in April. If his good form continues this season he’ll have plenty of backers for the 2019 Grand National.

9th in the Becher Chase in December, he also gave the Ultima at Cheltenham a go but finished in 10th spot. They ahve been his only two races since April 2017. Was entered last year but was ruled out due to injury.

A classy chaser with plenty to offer. Just won at Down Royal over 3m2f and carrying to weight so with more than a stone less on his back, he is ticking a few boxes. Has only ever unseated once, never pulled-up or fallen and could be the surprise in the 2019 Grand National.

Another lively contender from Gordon Elliott, Shattered Love is one of the few mares entered in the 2019 Grand National. Winner of the JLT Novice’s Chase at Cheltenham last season, she has been narrowly beaten twice since. Ran in the Gold Cup and finished 9th. One for all the broken-hearted out there!

Played a blinder last season with three wins and four places from seven starts. So much so that the mare’s rating jumped from 127 to 146! Can definitely go the distance and was second in the Midlands Grand National over 4m – stamina all day long. A serious contender.

Has plenty of potential and has been given a decent weight for the Grand National. However, despite being talked up for the Ultima at Cheltenham, he pulled-up less than halfway around the race. Doesn’t seem to have the form needed to really contend this year.

A decent record of winning or placing in half of his chase starts. Last year he scored a big win at Fairyhouse in the Irish Grand National. His trainer is no stranger in the winners’ enclosure either. Gordon Elliott has already won the Grand National twice, last year with Tiger Roll and back in 2007 with Silver Birch. In principle, you’d have to fancy this horses chances given the team behind him.

Handed top weight for the 2019 Grand National and was third in the Gold Cup so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he swerved Aintree. If he does run, he could do well and other than one fall this season, is a class horse.

The winner of the 2017 Grand National was injured and missed out the 2018 renewal. Thankfully, Lucinda Russell’s nine-year-old is now back racing. Despite unseating his rider in both races this season, connections are confident of a better 2019 Grand National performance.

Has definitely got quality and was a winner at the Cheltenham Festival last season. Has had some tough competition this year and has lost out to Kemboy, Bellshill and Min. Debatable as to whether he really is a long distance chaser and seems more comfortable around 2m5f. May struggle with the 2019 Grand National.

Connections will have been devastated to see Blaklion brought down at the first fence last year. In light of last year’s misfortune, no one could begrudge him another crack at the race. A smart chaser who could go well. Let’s hope he gets a slice of luck.

Ran in the Grand National last year but fell at the 15th fence. Was moved to Gordon Elliott’s yard in October and has run five times since. Finished second in the Goffs Thyestes last time out but Aintree may still be a struggle.

Despite his age, Up For Review is quite inexperienced compared to other entries this year. He has clearly had problems and has been sidelined for long periods of time throughout his career. Gave a solid account of himself in the Ultima at Cheltenham.

Jumped in to the betting frame following his second place finish in the Grand National Trial at Haydock. Quite young, at just seven years old, but was second in the Coral Welsh National behind Elegant Escape so a definite contender.

Lost out by the smallest margin in 2018. A photo finish was needed to separate eventual winner Tiger Roll from Pleasant Company (2nd). Showed great spirit with his bold jumping and extraordinary late charge for the finishing post. No doubt he’ll have lots of company in the betting ring at Aintree.

Winner of the Leinster National on March 10th and jumped straight into the 2019 Grand National frame. However, it was only his 4th time running at 3m or more and he really didn’t do well in the first three attempts so stamina is questionable!

Could Ultragold be the ace up Colin Tizzard’s sleeve? A two-time winner of the Topham Chase at Aintree, has run there four times in total, including a third place in the Becher Chase in December. Will carry a very handy weight for the National!

If he makes the cut, everybody with even a cat named Sam will be on this 2019 Grand National runner. Winner of the Cork Grand National in November, he definitely has stamina and heart but rarely wins. Could place though.

Winner of the Scottish National in 2018, beating Ballyoptic by a nose. Also part owned by his trainer, Rebecca Curtis. Very far down the list of entries this year and unlikely to make the cut.

The downside is that he has only run in 6 chases. The upside is that he has won or placed in four of them. He won last time out at 3m 5f which demonstrates plenty of stamina but he started at number 88 on the list and is almost certain to miss the cut.

Previously trained by both Donald McCain and Jonjo O’Neill, Go Conquer is now with Nigel Twiston-Davies. He has had three runs under his new trainer, all at 3m and won the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster last time out.

History was not made by Baie Des Iles and Katie Walsh in the 2018 National but she still managed to get the Ross O’Sullivan trained 7-year-old home in 12th place. The grey filly will have her supporters but it will be a nervous wait to see if she makes the cut.

One of the most experienced horses entered in 2019, Valtor has run 52 times under race rules, 33 of them in chases. All but two of them were in France until he changed yards in November. Two races under Nicky Henderson and won his first at Ascot. Pulled-up in the second.

Was on superb form last season and rounded it off with a fourth place finish at the Cheltenham Festival before finishing second in the Scottish Grand National.

It seems that every few weeks A Toi Phil is racing. He’s been out seven times already this season and has done pretty well in most of them. However, he has only run at 3m twice so the Grand National might be pushing it. If you’re looking for a reliable horse who doesn’t fall or unseat his jockey then A Toi Phil will tick a couple of those boxes. And, of course, if your name is Phil!

Ran last year but pulled up with two fences to go though he had been fading before that. Since then he has only tackled one race of 3m+ and he pulled up in that as well. If the ground is a bit soft he might be ok but form suggests he’s not really a contender.

An absolute stalwart of the Grand National, this will be the fourth time he has run in the race. He was 7th in 2016, 6th in 2017 and 9th in 2018. So if you want to back a horse that knows how to get around the Grand National fences, this is the one. He was second in the Becher Chase in December so his love of Aintree is still there!

A solid chaser who won the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at Punchestown in February. Clearly loves the longer distances but 12 years old is a big ask for the 2019 Grand National.

One for all the Carol’s out there! Is having a bit of a mixed bag this season. Has won two, placed or nearly placed in two and pulled up in two. None of which really matters as Caroles Destrier is so far down the lost of entries it’s highly unlikely to make the cut for 2019.

Was unlucky in 2018 when unseating his jockey at the Foinavon fence on the first circuit of the Grand National. Captain Redbeard is a real family affair, the horse is owned and trained by Stuart Coltherd and ridden by son Sam.

Only really started chasing last season, in January 2018. Was previously run mostly over hurdles. Has done very well and has taken to the longer distances with three back-to-back second place finishes. Unfortunately he is so far down the list that he may not make the cut this year.

Showed a huge amount of promise a few years ago and racked up some huge wins. Changed from Willie Mullins to Gordon Eliott in October 2016 and hasn’t continued his winning ways. He got injured in March 2017 and returned this season for three races but pulled up in two of them before placing at Down Royal last time out.

If his last five races are anything to go by, Daklondike will not even run in the Grand National. He finished last season by pulling up and started this season the same way. He then won at Haydock but it was only 2m7f. Then he unseated before his trip to Newcastle where he refused to run. And he is only 7 years old. Red flags everywhere!

If he makes the cut he will most likely be ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen who has an enviable record around the Aintree course. The Young Master has his good moments and has won twice this season but before that his last win was in 2016.

There will be a lot of talk about Sandymount Duke mostly because he is owned by Ronnie Wood from The Rolling Stones. Unfortunately he hasn’t had a win since July 2017 and even then that was only at 1m7f! He fairs much better over shorter distances, will absolutely need the going to be on the Good side.

Clearly has a great partner in Bryony Frost who navigated Milansbar to fifth place in the 2018 National on her debut in the race. And if you can believe it, has no chance of making the cut for the 2019 Grand National. Started at no.92!

Not a bad little chaser and one who is one good form this season with two wins and two places from six starts. Was 7th in the Ultima which was a tough race and he carried nearly a stone more so as a lively outsider Magic Of Light could throw up a surprise.

Owned and trained by Jane Williams, Tea For Two has a few good career wins. However, he unseated in the Glenfarclas, pulled-up in the race before that and was 6th in the King George. He’s a bit hit and miss but has previously won at Aintree in the Betway Bowl (2017).

Singlefarmpayment has a lot going for him. Connections clearly love Cheltenham because he has run there 11 times, including his last six races. Mixed results and performs better when the going is good. With such big odds he’s worth considering for an each-way bet.

Was treated a lot better by the Handicapper this year and may very well takes his chances at Aintree. Has plenty of stamina but he did pull up in last years Gold Cup and Irish Grand National. I don’t think he has sparkled this year and was fourth from four in the Irish Gold Cup – a full 45L behind the winner.

Had real potential a year ago but isn’t on good form so far this season. Will struggle with the distance as any time he runs more than 3m4f he ends up about 60L off the winner.

A Grand National runner needs proven stamina over the long distance races to genuinely have a chance to contend. Yala Enki has that. In the last three years, he has only run once at less than 3m and was third in the Coral Welsh National (3m5f) in December. He rarely pulls up or falls and could do very well this year.

Ran in the Grand National two years ago and finished 8th so he can get around the course. Always runs at 3m+ which is good for stamina but with mixed results. Trainer says he’s on excellent form though!

If the going turns out to be ‘Soft’ Mala Beach could capitalise. He loves to plod around in the mud and most of his best results have been on this type of ground. He has only had two runs so far this season and did well last time out.

Clearly a horse that doesn’t need too much of a break between races. He ran 8 times last season and has already been out 7 times this season. The last three races haven’t gone his way but he was running on softer ground which may not suit him. His lower weight will help him travel further but he has no experience beyond 3m.

Ran in last year’s Grand National and finished in 8th place while carrying a lot more weight than he will this year. So he can get around the course. He just doesn’t win very often but with luck he could place this year.

A good chaser with plenty of experience but rarely runs more than 2m7f. He has had a few attempts at 3m+ but only won one of them. The weight he has been given will be a huge advantage and if the going is good he may have an outside each-way chance.